Festuca brevipila (hard fescue)
Formerly F. longifolia. Densely tufted, cool season, long-lived perennial bunchgrass with a massive fibrous, shallow root system. Adapted to a wide range of soil conditions except for standing wet or strongly alkaline sites. Establishment is slow but persistent with mature stands being competitive. Good palatability to livestock and excellent for wildlife. Different varieties for either erosion control or turfgrass. Varieties listed below.
DISTRIBUTION / ADAPTATION
INFORMATION & ATTRIBUTES
Family: Poaceae
Duration: Perennial, long-lived
Growth Habit: Graminoid
Native Status: Introduced
Season: Cool
Growth Form: Bunchgrass
Mature Height: 30 in.
Annual Precipitation: 16-30 in.
Drought Tolerance: Low
Shade Tolerance:
Elevation:
Fire Resistance:
Fire Tolerance:
SOIL ADAPTATION
Coarse Texture: No
Medium Texture: Yes
Fine Texture: Yes
Salinity Tolerance:
CaCO3 Tolerance:
pH Range:
SEEDING NOTES
Seeds per Pound: 565,000
Seeding Rate: PLS lbs/acre
Season: Spring
Days to Germination:
VARIETIES
Durar - Tall, densely tufted with a tremendous root system, drought resistant and good seed yields. Performs well in rainfall zones of 14-30 in. More drought resistant than Chewings fescue (F. rubra fallax); less than Sheep fescue (F. ovina) and Idaho fescue (F. idahoensis). Primarily used to stabilize roadsides, ditch banks, recreation areas and as a cover crop in orchards and vineyards. (Released 1949)